Round 5 BP Pro Series at Buckmore Park - Michael Jones

Race report and photos from Michael Jones who competes in the BP Pro Series, Round 5, Buckmore Park. Sunday 18th October 2020.

Prior to this race I was having a good season, sitting in 6th in my weight class (the middle tier, lightweights). I have lost weight over the past half year which has made me much more competitive in my class, and my fastest lap time at Buckmore Park has come down from 50.4 to 50.0. I was feeling very confident going in to the race, after being part of the winning team - Alpha Whiskey Charlies - at the Met Police 3 hour endurance race.

Qualifying:

Unfortunately things started badly, and only got worse! With just 10 minutes in Quali 1 I had to get a good banker lap in to ensure my place in Quali 2, but I sensed straight away there were issues with the kart. The steering felt heavy, and the acceleration out of the corners delayed. As per the rules I came in to the pits to change kart, but there weren't any spare to change with, so I was going to have to make do. I could only put in a 51.3 laptime, which was very disappointing, I qualified a lowly 25th out of 30 karts, and in last place in my weight class.

Pre Race:

Fortunately I was able to change karts prior to the start of the race, which I was prepared to do as I was so near the back I felt I had nothing to lose. The cold tyres and brakes would be a problem to start with, but I was hopeful of moving through the pack. I usually finish between 15th and 20th out of up to 30 to 35 karts, the superlight weight class dominate the top 10 with the heavyweights at the back. As I drove my fresh kart round to the grid, I was happier that it felt smoother in the corners. As for acceleration, I would have to wait and see.

Lights out:

The race started and I had a half decent start. The first 2 hairpins are always dangerous, I decided to be cautious because I didn't want to end up in a collision, which happen often when all 30 karts race down to the first few corners all together! I settled in to the race and made my way past the majority of the heavyweights, and some of my competitors in the lightweight class. It was always going to be a tall order to have a good result from so far back in the grid, but I had an hour to focus, and I knew that my good cardiovascular fitness would help me out later in to the race. The kart seemed to improve as the hour went on, and I ended up in a 5 way scrap for 18th place! We were actually all slowing each other down as we kept changing positions, but I managed to find some clear air and set my fastest lap of the race, a 50.1, about 45 minutes in.

Result:

I ended the race 21st overall, and 10th in my weight class which unfortunately drops me down to 8th in the points. But it was a great race with excellent quality drivers. 6 out of the 8 races points count towards the final total, so this will likely be 1 of my 'dropped' results. I miss the next race too due to work but am hoping for a much stronger showing in rounds 7 and 8, the final rounds of the championship.

Michael